Mar. 9th, 2011

Mar. 9th, 2011

Ah, Mardi Gras! =InKibus and I have a special connection with the notorious holiday the year we were born, we were born on Mardi Gras ( we were also born in the worst snow storm in Arkansas history up to that point as far as "recorded" history goes.) Ironically, due to the way keeps bouncing around every year, it will not fall on our birthday again until well in our 70s. this years it's the closest it's been in years. We've always felt a strange special connection with New Orleans. Perhaps the way that Lestat & Louis have a connection with it. Not really part of it, more of the the outside looking in. I have no family connection with New Orleans (other than having a family member buried there, but they weren't born there, they only lived there for the last couple years of their life). my parents briefly lived in New Orleans, finding jobs there back in the 70s. It was interesting hearing their take on it.

I've only been to New Orleans once, when said family member die, to attend his funeral. I was young eight or nine maybe. I don't remember a lot, I remember was the weirdest, dankest, smelliest place I've ever been to. I remember the reptile house. I remember eating at a greasy café with probably the most unhealthiest food I've ever eaten (greasy and fried!). inky told me later that she thought there would be people standing around in magnificent costumes at the edge of the New Orleans border. my parents briefly lived in New Orleans, finding jobs there back in the 70s. It was interesting hearing their take on it.

I was hoping that since I started researching my ancestry I'd find New Orleans connection then, but alas I still haven't (I think Inky was hopping for a voodoo priestess!). When when Katrina hit, mom and dad both instantly predicted it would flood, there's no way a city that is under sea level couldn't. So, like watching a old tree wilt and die and not being able to do a thing about it, it flooded. I can't even imagine the hell that was. there is talk for a couple years of "rebuilding it", but this year that didn't even make the news. Can you rebuilt it? I don't think so.. Should you? A question to big for me to answer. Add insult to injury with the oil spill in the gulf, and one wonders if there is anything left of the old New Orleans. I don't know. I intend to find out one day. I still plan on visiting that city, not just for Mardi Gras, but just to see if that ghost connection I've had all my life is real, or if it exist somewhere else. Link! Clicky! > [link]